Ford House is excited to announce that it has begun the second restoration phase of its federally funded Lower Lake St. Clair Habitat Restoration Project, which will advance a nationally recognized effort to restore and protect the Lake St. Clair shoreline focusing on Ford Cove 

Following the first phase of restoration, which included the completion of a new wetland boardwalk in fall 2025, Ford House is moving from early improvements into a period of highly visible shoreline transformation. The work marks a major step forward in the Lower Lake St. Clair Habitat Restoration Project. The project is funded by a $7 million Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grant awarded to Ford House by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation 

“These next steps move us from vision to action,” said Mark J. Heppner, President & CEO of Ford House. “Visitors will begin to see meaningful, lasting changes along Ford Cove, from restored natural habitats to creating a resilient shoreline. This work is about creating lost aquatic habitat to support the lakes' diverse ecosystem, protecting the estate for future generations while thoughtfully expanding how people experience the lake. It reflects Eleanor Ford’s vision of stewardship, public engagement, and care for this extraordinary place.” 

Restoration and construction activities will concentrate along the shoreline, from the northwest corner of the parking lot, around Bird Island and Ford Cove, all the way to the Power House near the Main Residence. During this time, access to shoreline adjacent pathways, the berm along Ford Cove, and Bird Island will be temporarily closed as work progresses. The road from the Visitor Center to the Main Residence and other historic buildings will remain open for pedestrians and shuttle service. Once construction is completed, visitors will be able to enjoy a newly constructed universally accessible pathway from the Visitor Center to the Main Residence. 

Visitors should expect to see tree and concrete removal, earthwork, and natural stone installation over the winter. During the spring and summer, construction will continue to build new pathways, habitat structures, and plant over 200,000 native plants and trees. Planting and ecological restoration will continue through 2026 and into 2027, reinforcing the project’s long-term environmental and public-access goals. 

GEI Consultants completed the engineering and design work in late 2025 and Catskill Remedial has been awarded the contract for construction. Catskill successfully completed 

the wetland and boardwalk project during phase one of the construction. Ford House looks forward to a continued partnership on this important and nationally recognized coastal restoration project. 

Supported by the NOAA grant, the Lower Lake St. Clair Habitat Restoration Project will reduce the impact of waves and flooding, decrease runoff and nutrient loads, and improve habitat conditions that support Lake St. Clair fisheries and coastal ecosystems. The project will also expand public interaction with the lake and shoreline for future educational and recreational use. 

Ford House will continue to share updates as the project progresses and appreciates the community’s patience and support during this critical restoration work.